I was attacked by a rottweiler dog about 16 years ago, which I had to go to the hospital for and previous to that I was bitten on the face by a jack russell dog, but I'm not scared of dogs. And I wouldn't be afraid to pass someone walking a large dog.

I only do that to stop my dog from learning to rush at people. I want her to sit and be calm before she gets to meet anyone, so she learns to be respectful of people. She's a bundle of energy, so she has to learn calmness or she would jump at everyone for hugs & kisses.

It really depends on the dog, though. I could picture a dog who is big and snarly, and then I cross the street. However, if it's like a sheepdog or a tail-wagging dog, size doesn't matter. I will walk by without fear.

Yeah, I have it the same way. In my experience big dogs get trained (and are often very calm. Big danes for examples are some of the nicest dogs I've ever met), while owners of small dogs don't think they need training 'cause they can easily hold them. But, well, holding them won't stop them from barking and behaving aggressively against people or other dogs. I was bitten by a small dog (a small poodle) back when I was a child, and while I even back then knew why it bit me - it was my fault -, I have a hard time imagine f.ex. a Sank Bernard dog behave the same way. Most big dogs are so - calm, in my experience. While small dogs? Yeah, no thanks.

(and often the owner of the small dog gets nervous/pissy if my medium sized dog bark back. While I don't like it either when my dog barks and tries to train it not to, of course it's going to respond if a dog - no matter the size - barks at it and show teeth! It's a dog, ffs!)

I agree with the part about "just because your dog behaves well around x doesn't mean he will act that way towards everyone." My husband's family dog is INSANELY friendly with other people and always wants attention, but he...ATTACKS other dogs. Like...GOES FOR THE THROAT. It's scary. He's not a big dog, though. (Which was the original topic.)